IRB RESOURCES
IRB CREW
IRB DRIVER
15 June 2009 - IRBD Upgrade
In line with the recent release of the new resource suite for the Silver Medallion IRB Driver (SM-IRBD), the award has now been mapped to two units of competency from the Public Safety Training Package. These units of competency include:
- Prepare, maintain and test reponse equipment PUAEQU001B
- Undertake a rescue operation in a small powercraft PUASAR010B
SLSNSW completed a content mapping exercise against the previous Silver Medallion IRB Driver resources. This was conducted on the course delivered to the membership between 1st November 2007 and present. It was determined that memebers who had achieved the award within this timeframe had fulfilled the requirements of these units of competency, and therefore through the process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are entitled to receive the two units of competency as part of an automatic upgrade.
An upgrade process has been developed for those members who completed the SM-IRBD award prior to 1st November 2007 and wish to gain recognition for these units of competency. The below SM-IRBD Upgrade Application, Upgrade Theory Paper and Observation Checklist must be completed and returned to SLSNSW.
For further information consult the SLSNSW Circular 3108 Silver Medallion IRB Driver - automatic allocation of Units of Competency in SurfGuard.
30 January 2009
With the release of the new SLSA Silver Medallion IRB Driver resources late last year, this raised a few issues regarding the automatic issuing of Maritime Licenses to SLSNSW members who successfully completed the award.
The status with the old resources was that there were 2 workbooks:
- Workbook 1 covered IRB Operations plus the Maritime requirements for IRB & RWC
- Workbook 2 covered the SLSNSW/SLSA requirements for RWC Operations and Search & Rescue
The new SLSA IRB Driver resources have been developed for all of Australia, and so do not meet our individual state requirements, as governed by NSW Maritime. To make the change over as seamless as possible, we have amended te SLSNSW Workbook 1 from the resources you have been using for the past season – these now fulfill the NSW Maritime requirements.
It is therefore necessary that all participants completing the Silver Medallion IRB Driver Certificate complete both te SLSNSW Workbook 1 (available on our website, above) and the SLSA Learner Guide to achieve this award.
Here are a few pointers for explanation:
- SLSA have developed a national resource.
- Some states do not require the operator of a boat to hold a General Boat License.
- NSW Maritime laws state that any person operating a vessel in NSW waters must hold a current NSW Maritime General Boat License.
- SLSNSW has an exemption with NSW Maritime that states: Direction Exempting certain Members of SLSNSW from the requirement to hold a General License. For Surf Life Saving activities only.
- For this exemption to remain current, any member commencing training in the SM IRB Driver award (that does not hold a NSW Maritime General Boat License) must complete the SLSNSW Pre-course SM IRBD/NSW Maritime Workbook 1. Navigation & Preparing for Boat Operations.
- The member will then continue with the activities in the SLSA IRB Driver Learner Guide.
The SLSA IRB Driver Learner Guide is available for download from the SLSA secure library (SLSA website) or can be purchased from SLSNSW at a cost of $4.73 each.
Procedure for a member that holds a Waterways General Boating licence prior to starting IRB/RWC training
- SLSNSW PowerCraft Workbook 1 is the Surf Life Saving equivalent of the NSW Waterways General Boating Licence.
- If a member holds a current (not expired) Waterways General Boating licence prior to starting IRB/RWC training, they can commence their training in the water without having to complete the SLSNSW Workbook 1.
- The participant MUST be under the direct supervision of someone who holds a SLSA Silver Medallion IRB Driver Certificate/SLSNSW PowerCraft Licence.
- Either Workbook 1 or if applicable the Boat Licence must be on the beach during training.
- SLSNSW recommends that all members complete the SLSNSW Workbook 1 in conjunction with, the PowerCraft Manual, 6th Edition, to ensure that their knowledge and skills are up to date/current, regardless of you already holding the NSW Waterways General Boat Licence.
NOTE: For more information regarding IRB and RWC prerequisites and licencing, refer to pages 5-7 in the SLSNSW Powercraft Workbook 1.
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